Former Ghana defender Samuel Osei Kuffour has opened up about the emotional difficulty of parting ways with the Black Stars, describing it as one of the toughest moments of his career.
The ex-Bayern Munich star was instrumental in helping Ghana qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006, a historic achievement for the nation. However, his tournament experience was marred by a costly mistake in Ghana’s opening match against eventual champions Italy.
A misplaced back pass from Kuffour led to a goal in the 2-0 defeat, a moment that ultimately saw him dropped from the squad for Ghana’s second group-stage match. He was also left out of the lineup for the crucial Round of 16 clash against Brazil.
Reflecting on the experience, Kuffour admitted it was a difficult period.
"I felt bad after the first game against Italy during the 2006 World Cup, but being dropped for the second game opened the door for others," he told Sporty FM.
"I played one of my best games against Italy, but that mistake... and after the tournament, I told my management I could not play for the national team anymore."
Kuffour, who earned 54 caps for Ghana and scored three goals, remains one of the country’s most accomplished defenders, with a distinguished club career that saw him win multiple Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy with Bayern Munich.
